Holding up a mirror
CONSIDERING THE LACK of representation of different ethnicities and races on the books of Australian modelling agencies, it’s easy to assume there is just no talent to sign. Yet our country has produced some of the world’s biggest and most unique non-European models including Adut Akech, Fernanda Ly, Duckie Thot and Shanina Shaik. There are also other international successes who barely get a mention in Australian media, among them Filipino-Australian Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray, and Rosé from K-pop girl band Blackpink, who grew up in Melbourne and has more followers than Sia, Kylie Minogue and Iggy Azalea combined.
What’s evident is that an ominous pattern remains at play with all of Australia’s talent of colour: every single person on that list had been denied access, acceptance and spaces to exist and belong in Australia wholly. Despite being in the country they called home, each of those women could not access the
